Hey all.. with all my amp questions i hope your not getting annoyed lol =) but which one is the best out of these bass nw has some deals goin.
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Which Head?
- Thread starter BassSurfer
- Start date
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
- 7,613
- 76
- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
For me, it would be based on sound. If you can, take your bass and cab(s) into the shop. Those guys are really nice, and I bet they would let you open up each of those heads for a few minutes.
If it were not possible to do that, it would probably be between the Fender and the Ampeg for me.
If it were not possible to do that, it would probably be between the Fender and the Ampeg for me.
Personally, I would get the Fender.
I believe it has the same pre as my Bassman 25 and it is absolutely SMOKIN!
There is a Bassman 25 up there for sale too, IIRC. Mines a definite keeper.
Joe.
hey no Ashdown head in here? what happened to that Ashdown Vs GK threat of yours? 
MK500 for life!!
MK500 for life!!
It all depends what you like. I have the ampeg b2re which i think im gonna sell soon cause its not the right amp for my modulus q6. But I do like the sound of swr stuff, I haven't played a lot of their stuff though. I havent played really any good fender amps so I cant really say.
well the SWR hasent gotten any input or any votes so yeah i wonder why whats so not likeable about SWR i never played through one but i might go with the Fender... although it doesent have alot as many watts as the ampeg the tone that counts .. this is a hard one guys lol
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
- 7,613
- 76
- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
There is SWR and then there is SWR. In my experience, the pro series, 350, 550, 750, etc. really blow away the workingmans series. I had two WM combos (good amps), so no disrepect intended, this is a matter of personal taste. BUT.....I still have my SWR 350 head. Your mileage may vary!
I picked the Ampeg-mainly coz I had the B2R & the tone from it was superb for an all S.S. amp- able to get a real warm Ampeg tone & it's really a set & 4get amp! I hardly ever had to use the 9 band EQ, sounded great as it was!! I only got rid of it coz I'm a tube guy at heart & I HAD to go BACK to using all tube amps
The Fender I would probly go for If I hadn't had experience with the Ampeg B4, When I've used the S.S. bassman amps I've been mighty impressed! = very versatile-perhaps MORE so than the B2RE!!! Up 2 U- check 2 see which tone U like best!
The Fender I would probly go for If I hadn't had experience with the Ampeg B4, When I've used the S.S. bassman amps I've been mighty impressed! = very versatile-perhaps MORE so than the B2RE!!! Up 2 U- check 2 see which tone U like best!
a week ago last Friday. The amount of time I have spent with it is minnimal. It is was I could afford and bought on a wihm for a few mor dollars than I planned on spending ($227 incl. shipping, also came witha a Nady wireless reciever).
Currently I am pushing a 2x10 budget off brand cab and all is well. Someday maybe another cab. It meets my needs (VFW's, Legions, weddings and small cowboy up north lumberjack-local type bars). If a person needs a quick plug and play, the 4004 will suffice, others may be better, more time is needed to get a more taylored sound.
For the second time since1968, my house is Ampeg-less (except for the Ampeg neckless and T shirt) the last time lasted 3 months. Finances will dictate that this time is a lot longer.
Best of Luck,
Wesley R.
Currently I am pushing a 2x10 budget off brand cab and all is well. Someday maybe another cab. It meets my needs (VFW's, Legions, weddings and small cowboy up north lumberjack-local type bars). If a person needs a quick plug and play, the 4004 will suffice, others may be better, more time is needed to get a more taylored sound.
For the second time since1968, my house is Ampeg-less (except for the Ampeg neckless and T shirt) the last time lasted 3 months. Finances will dictate that this time is a lot longer.
Best of Luck,
Wesley R.
Definitely Ampeg. I would always go with Hartke and Ampeg over other amp heads... though there are certain exceptions (and the SWR and Fender are not exceptions).
I like yr reasoning re going w/ the Fender! The B2RE is rated @ 450W but is NOT a loud 450 W where as the Fender IS a loud 350!!! I've heard it personally-live in a pub. In fact isn't it actually 400w @4 ohms????? I seem 2 recall seeing sumthin in that regard.......... I could be TOTALLY wrong there tho!!!!!!!!
i have a fender combo amp that I LOVE! it would be cool to bring such this tone to the new stack that im going for.. its funny how the poll changed from the fendner winning then the ampeg took a good lead.. but more researching must be done lol
I'm still surprised by what a good tone my little Fender Bassman 25 has. It's not in the same league as my Bergantino, but for a small combo, it has a great sound. I still use it a lot.
so the head must be amazing then i love my fender combo amp... i might go for it instead of the ampeg.. but this is STILL A HARD DEScision i just wanna know why the hate for the SWR
Hate?
I haven't really seen any hate for SWR. I've owned a Super Redhead, SM-400, Workingman's 10 and still own an LA8.
The issues with SWR (at least the Pro series) is that they are a bit hard to hear and are assumed to be underpowered. This can be mostly solved by some wise EQing. Cut the very low freq's and boost the right mids. The thing is tweaking is required, it's not just plug and play for most folks...so they whine.
They are all great amps in their own right. I wish I still had the Super Redhead.
Out of the choices you gave I chose the Fender. The tone of my Bassman 25, at bedroom volume (hey, it's 25w for Pete's sake) is absolutely awesome. The 12" and 15" versions did not sound as good IMHO. If the preamp IS the same I know that I would be happy with that head alonside a quality cab. Providing it met my needs, of course.
Joe.
